Summer can be a harsh thing for your home, especially for its exterior. It can pose heat damage to your roof, dry out your wood furniture and décor, cause cracks to your hardwood floors, and of course, make indoors very uncomfortable.
So, whether you’re planning to stay at home with your family for the summer or going on a summer vacation, it’s vital to ensure your home is safe from the hot season. Before you get excited with your backyard barbecues or family vacation at the beach, follow these tips first to get your house in tiptop condition for the summer.
1. Conduct home energy audit
Before doing anything in your home, it’s best if you’d first perform an energy audit. This can help you determine what you can do to reduce energy usage in your home. Surely, you don’t want to pay for a high energy bill because of a defective AC unit, right? In general, home energy audits involve energy consumption analysis, electricity and gas tariff review, user behavior patterns, and energy contract management.
What’s more, this task can also help identify any safety and health issues caused by fuel or pipe leaks and electrical wiring problems. Be sure to hire a professional and accredited energy auditor to ensure everything will be checked and evaluated.
2. Upgrade your insulation
Contrary to what most homeowners believe, insulation is not only important when the temperatures drop, but also during the hot weather. Proper insulation can help keep your home cool by reducing the stress on your AC unit. If your home doesn’t have high-performance insulation, your air conditioning system will find it hard to cool the area, thus, leading to higher energy bills.
If you have inefficient insulation, you might need to add some to maximize the energy efficiency of your home during summertime. Bear in mind though that this can be a messy job, especially if you also have an old house. To avoid damaging your floors and walls, you might want to invest in a professional insulation service.
3. Tune up your AC unit
Most homeowners rely on their air conditioning units to survive the heat during summer, but not many actually make an effort to have it tuned up. That dirt buildup sitting all winter in your unit can cause some problems so don’t forget to check it to guarantee cool and clean indoor air.
Some basic tasks that you can do yourself include cleaning the area around the vents or replacing the air filter. Test if it’s working effectively. If not, you might need to hire an AC technician to check your unit. They can determine whether your air conditioning system has defects or leaks that need to be repaired.
4. Bug-proof the house
Next task you should take in is to protect your home from bugs, which typically arrive during summer season. Most insects find their way through your home’s attic and walls. Don’t let your house become their escape from the heat by properly sealing your home. Check for cracks and gaps on your doors and windows and caulk them.
If you want to totally ensure no insects will stay in your living space, it’s best to call on a pest control specialist to spray insecticide in your home. Opt for those that use natural solutions for a safer option. Your home’s outdoor parts should also be sprayed with insecticides. Or, you can install some insect screens on your windows.
5. Prevent water damage
Summer sometimes comes with some storm or rain warnings that you should also be prepared for. For that reason, have your home’s foundation inspected for potential storm and flooding damage. You can start with the basement and look for holes and cracks that must be sealed. Also, make sure that your roof doesn’t have cracks or broken shingles. And the gutters? Yes, they should be clean too. Hire a professional in case your roof needs repair.
6. Do some lawn care
The summer heat can also damage your lawn so make sure to keep it well-maintained and healthy. Mow at the right height, depending on the type of grass in your lawn to reduce water evaporation and protect the soil from drying out too much. Make sure to also water it properly and keep the area spotless. If you have warm-season grass on your lawn, it’s best to fertilize it so it can grow healthy and thick.
By performing these simple tasks, you can ensure your family and your lovely home from sweltering temperatures, bug problems, and even some hurricane hints. Prepare your home inside and out so you can have better enjoy the summer. It’s still not too late to get your house summer-ready, so start now!
